The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) held a seminar at its Hong Kong headquarters on asset management industry developments, outlining recent regulatory and market developments and reiterating Hong Kong's role in global asset management. Wu Jiali, executive director of the SFC's Investment Products Division, said direct engagement with the industry is central to the SFC's approach, improving policy transparency and supervisory efficiency, supporting market stability and investor protectio

Major banks and a Reuters survey largely expect the ECB to deliver a 25bp hike at the upcoming meeting; markets will be watching forward guidance and odds of further tightening more than the decision itself. Goldman Sachs: base case 25bp and end of this tightening cycle after September, but risk of a December hike rises if energy prices stay high, inflation re-accelerates or the Fed tightens further. ING: expects a 25bp hike but characterizes it as dovish — post-hike signals likely insufficient to justify market-priced further tightening. Société Générale: 25bp with a relatively hawkish stance to counter energy-driven inflation. Reuters survey: 25bp then a stop, with the deposit rate staying at 2.50% through end‑2026. Danske Bank: 25bp; Lagarde will keep flexibility without committing to a path and is unlikely to explicitly try to suppress tightening expectations. Deutsche Bank: 25bp and a further hike in December is likely; 2.75% is a more probable terminal rate unless geopolitics ease and growth weakens, which could cap rates at 2.5%. Natixis: 25bp, followed by neutral messaging to avoid implying a long hike cycle; expects a pause until end‑2027. RABOBANK: 25bp with more restrained guidance and no push toward a ~3% terminal rate. SEB: 25bp and likely the last hike of the cycle, though uncertainty remains; persistently above‑target inflation is unlikely, supporting a prolonged pause. BNP Paribas SA: sees potential hikes in September and December if growth and inflation forecasts are revised up at the September meeting. MUFG: 25bp fully priced; market reaction will hinge on forward guidance — lack of clear support for a year‑end hike would likely weaken the euro. State Street Global: ECB may pair a 25bp increase with intentionally open signals; key questions are whether 2.50% is judged sufficiently restrictive and whether the bank preserves policy space for December.

ECB President Lagarde said she strongly hopes digital-euro legislation can pass before year-end.